phillavery - Posted - 07/08/2014:  04:46:09

I recently purchased an entry level 'Paramount' Banjo, cast Aluminum Pot, near new ..... have been practicing for about 6 weeks, can play a few basic pieces ....... BUT, the First string does not sound good (as against the other four)  - Open D rings true, but at the second fret the tone sounds Dull, Lifeless and it driving me mad (madder ?) ....It does not appear to touch the adjacent frets, no buzzing that I can hear, but I'm feeling lost at this point, Playing a C chord makes me cringe ....half way down the string is fine (the string rings on nicely, but the 2cnd fret sounds different ........ has anyone got any ideas on this one - I know its all about Physics, Harmonics, Overtones and stuff but Geez !  ...I'm playing Bluegrass ......help ?

Edited by - phillavery on 07/08/2014 04:54:03

grm405 - Posted - 07/08/2014:  06:05:20

Buzzing.  This does not always "buzz" but will sound as you describe.  Use a straight edge (or the string capoed at the first fret and pressed down at the 22nd fret) to check for a high fret.  How high is your action?  This is pretty common if too low an action is set by electric guitar type people.

If it is a high fret, file it down to match the others.  Try raising the action.  How high is your bridge?  Increase it and see if the sound improves.  A simple way to try this is sticking a piece of popsicle stick under the bridge.  Is your head too loose?  Tightening it will raise the action.

As you can see, banjos require lots of setup and there is not simple answer, just a lot of stuff which has to be adjusted right.

Gerry

steve davis - Posted - 07/08/2014:  06:26:38

Check your head tension.

They can loosen over time.

A dime under a 6 inch ruler sets a very good,stable head tension.

Strings in tune/0 end toward tailpiece.

johndalf - Posted - 07/08/2014:  07:05:33

It is most likely being dampened by a fret even though you don't hear buzzing. I would start with Steve's suggestion to get the head tension right since a loose head lowers the bridge and the strings. Then to set the action as grm describes, I use this guide stellingbanjo.com/blog/stellin...p-system/

Don't be a gorilla with those rod adjustments, though. :-)  They can break.

steve davis - Posted - 07/08/2014:  07:11:05

Neck relief of .015 at the 7th fret(fret top to bottom of strings/capo 1st fret while fretting 22) aids and abets clean fretted notes.

Rick Turner - Posted - 07/08/2014:  08:20:16

How's the second string, 5th fret? That being the same note as first string 2nd fret... There can be dead spots on instruments that are specific note related, not fret level related.

But the suggestions re. fret leveling are good here, too. A high fret can choke a note out without you noticing much buzzing. A 6" rule/straight edge will help diagnose a high fret. If that's it, I wouldn't try to just file that fret; the danger is in going too far or nicking the fretboard if you're not used to doing this kind of work. As repairmen, we see too many really funky home fret mills where the fingerboard is really ugly.

Check the Stewart MacDonald site re. the correct tools for fret leveling, crowning and polishing, and they have great tips and videos available.

Patrick Hanna - Posted - 07/08/2014:  10:05:01

If it were mine, I'd also check to see if the fret is loose in the slot at that position--particularly if it checks out to be slightly high. You might have a "popped up" fret end. If it's high, just press down on the end gently but firmly with the blade of a screwdriver. If it moves up and down, then you've located the problem. And if that's the case, don't dress the fret until you glue it down (holding it in place with the screwdriver while applying a tiny drop of thin CA glue which will wick under the edge and into the slot). IF my hunch is correct, the fret probably wouldn't need re-dressing once glued back down.

...But if my hunch is not correct, then you'll have to run down all the other possibilities already suggested. You will figure it out, so don't get discouraged. Just systematically check out the possibilities that have been mentioned.

Rick Turner - Posted - 07/08/2014:  10:53:24

Good call, Patrick!

Helix - Posted - 07/08/2014:  11:07:44

There is a simple and easy setup sequence for that type of banjo
14mm wrench on the turnbuckle should bring the action higher or lower. I usually capo at the 1st fret, the string becomes it's own straight edge

phillavery - Posted - 07/08/2014:  22:58:21

Thanks guys, Ive just removed the resonator and it seems to have improved, but is it a placebo ? ... lol - I'll follow up your suggestions ...'Never Give Up, NEVER give in' ..... lol

phillavery - Posted - 07/09/2014:  02:26:41

quote:

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Originally posted by phillavery

Thanks guys, Ive just removed the resonator and it seems to have improved, but is it a placebo ? ... lol - I'll follow up your suggestions ...'Never Give Up, NEVER give in' ..... lol

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HEY... I've fixed it - The resonator was lightly pressing on the neck of the Banjo when it was in place - hence the improvement in the sound when It was removed............ What a relief ...... anyone want to dance ?           LOL       I think that deserves a couple of glasses of Rum, Rum fixes EVERYTHING   LOL ... cheers ........ oh this is great !!!!

Patrick Hanna - Posted - 07/09/2014:  10:03:25

Great resolution to your problem. I'm glad you found it. Were you able to get a permanent fix just by re-adjusting the resonator?

phillavery - Posted - 07/10/2014:  04:38:27

Yes thank you, I placed a nylon washer under each stud ...... I'm up n running agin ...touchy things aren't they !

Edited by - phillavery on 07/10/2014 04:39:51